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Focalplane

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  1. Focalplane
    Officially, summer is over. In the South of France the school holidays are over and most French holiday makers have gone back to work As is often the case in northwestern Europe, the following week can have excellent weather and our thermometer revealed 36ºC at 8 p.m. This is hardly perfect conditions to restart kit building, but I was ready to open a new box.
     

     
    The kit is my first from Modern Outline Kits, a.k.a. David Sharp. The 14XX is a departure from my LMS focus at Legge Lane but it represents good memories of the Gobowen Rattler autotrain that shuttled back and forth from Oswestry. Typically, when I was using it, the autotrain consisted of 1458 plus two auto trailers. The locomotive was always at the Gobowen end of the train. No. 1458 is therefore the prototype and it will be painted in plain lined black as I think that was its general condition (to be checked one of the days when passing by the Cambrian Railway Centre at Oswestry. The coaches will be maroon.
     
    The Collett designed replacement for the Wolverhampton designed 517 Class was in keeping with its ancestor, an 0-4-2T with a high steam dome that gave it it a period look at the time when Collett was improving (?) Churchward's designs at the high speed end of the locomotive stable.
     
    It proved to be a very capable locomotive with good acceleration, a top speed said to be 70 mph, and excellent fuel economy. Much liked by railwaymen and travelers, four have been preserved.
     
    The kit uses Dave Sharp's excellent CAD skills and consists of nickel silver etches (2) and bags of cast brass details. There is not one white metal casting in the box. Slaters' wheels and a Maxon motor/gearbox from ABC Gears are required to complete. These have been sourced while I am still debating on which sound decoder to use.
     
    I have started the chassis first. This is fully compensated with rocking beams between the two driver axles and a lateral rocking axle box for the trailing axle. Full compensation should give good electrical pickup continuity. It will also mean that the locomotive could be used on not so even outdoor track.
     
    Dave Sharp has pioneered a "tab and slot" method of joining etched components. This allows for a dry run to be made and then, after any adjustments, the assemblies (the design could be described as modular) are soldered up and the tabs filed smooth. I like this approach and will miss it when starting other non-MOK kits.
     
    Here are the first photos:
     

     
    The rocking trailing axle box. This is a small module that is bolted to the chassis
     

     
    Rear step module, showing detailed instructions included in the kit
     

     

     
    Two views of the basic chassis
     

     

     
    Two views of a temporary dry run attaching wheels and motor.
  2. Focalplane
    Eight days ago I bought the Connoisseur Models LMS 4F kit from owner Jim McGeown at the Bristol O Gauge Show. I really could not wait to get stuck into it, so a week later I finished constructing the tender, though it still needs some final filing and sanding before going to the paint shop. The engine's chassis has also been started on, but that will be the subject of another post.
     
    A few comments:
    The castings for this kit are simply the best I have seen. The axle box castings needed no fettling, see previous post
    The etches fitted together well with no mismatches at all
    I still use too much solder, but most of it is either underneath or will be hidden by a full load of coal
    The vacuum hose attachment is damaged by my poor soldering but Jim puts more than two in the kit so this will probably be replaced later
    The coal rails were easier to install than I thought possible

    A few photos, but remember there will be some more fettling before the primer goes on!
     

     

     

     

     
    I have also chosen my prototype, 44571, a Saltley (21A) loco for most of its post nationalization life, with no steam heat. This was one of the later 4Fs, built around 1937 when the LMS needed quick and cheap additions to its fleet of goods locomotives.
  3. Focalplane
    Today we visited the Didcot Great Western Society "museum". Hardly anyone was there even though it was a sunny day. Perhaps the £6.20 parking fee charged by APCOA puts people off? The Society has no parking spaces of their own, even the volunteers have to pay to park anywhere near the station, which houses the entrance to the museum.
     
    The principal reason was to photograph details of the Ransomes and Rapier 70 foot turntable to help in deciding exactly where certain fixtures should be placed on the model. In no particular order here are the best of the photos I took:
     
    A general view of the turntable with the winding mechanism on its steel platform (only ay one end)
     

     
    Close up of the winding mechanism
     

     
    One of the "pushing bars" in its vertical position
     

     
    The circular rail on which the bridge rotates. Note that this is not a classic rail profile but flat topped
     

     
    Another view of the winding mechanism
     

     
    The bridge deck with wooden planking either side and steel sheets between the tracks
     

     
    The well wall with red bricks capped by blue engineering bricks
     

     
    These photos should be enough to be able to complete the model when I return to France. There are significant detail differences between this prototype and the model but they are more in the shape of the bridge girders and the lack of a dish to the turntable well.
     
    Edited to correct company name, see comments below.
  4. Focalplane
    After several attempts, I have finally reached a reasonable solution for motorizing the Peco turntable. The two pictures show the arrangement:
     

     

     
    Basically I gave up with attaching the motor directly to the plastic well and created a strong plywood substrate. The need to reinforce the plastic well now seems to be unnecessary, so those three holes in the plywood are no longer used.
     
    Meccano parts did indeed come to the rescue. The motor is noisy but not as noisy as the previous kit and the gears run nicely with an application of lithium grease. The DCC control uses a TCS decoder and speed is easily controlled at a realistic level.
     
    There are still several cosmetic touches to finish on the top side but these can wait while I re-jig the coal hole/water tank that will be scratch built later this year.
     
    If I was to start over again, I would seriously consider an indexing kit
  5. Focalplane

    NCE PowerCab Review

    By Focalplane,

    After a fairly lengthy session with the PowerCab I feel confident in writing this brief review.
     
    I used my Broadway Limited Southern Pacific GS4 Daylight as the test vehicle. This is a fully equipped DCC Sound model, the DCC chip being factory installed.
     

     
    The photo shows the set up, with the GS4 on rollers.
     
    Having not used the GS4 for some time I could not remember if I had set the long address and my initial attempts to fire up the engine suggested that I had not, so I did a CV 8 reset. But I still could not get the loco to move or make any sounds, though the basic lighting came on.
     
    I checked that the cable between engine and tender was making good contact. It seemed to be. Then I tried various keys on the PowerCab and set the long address and the short address and selected either one or the other. Still nothing. Then I noticed that there is a program option to assign the loco to a cab. I am still not sure why this is the case, but when starting up the PowerCab I had noticed that it was assigned to "Cab 2". So I assigned Loco 4452 to Cab 2 and pressed F9, the loco's startup function key.
     
    Hey presto, the beast came to life (the GS4 sounds are quite superb, by the way).
     
    I checked out the speed controls and the momentum settings - all worked as they should, though there is no way of seeing what the current momentum setting is. To begin with I couldn't get the 128 step option to work. NCE says that if the chip in the loco can run 128 speed steps, it is automatically assigned. However, I was only able to select either 14 or 28 speed steps. Then I noticed a button on the bottom row labelled 28/128 and this turned on the 128 option. I now assume that, for this loco, the PowerCab will automatically adjust the setting to 128, but I am not completely convinced.
     
    Next, I was somewhat disappointed that the PowerCab only offers 13 function settings (F0 to F12). I had hoped for more. But my attempts at function mapping were successful, so I immediately assigned some of the higher function numbers to F7 (smoke unit was the default and my GS4 doesn't have one) and F10 (this became the standard US railroad crossing whistle - long-long-short-long).
     
    I also reprogrammed some of the sound CV settings. These all worked as promised.
     
    Programming really is easy, just as Digitrains said it would be. I tried both Main and Program Track modes and it is probable that I would use Main in the future - it's quicker.
     
    I am still not sure why I seem to have to assign the loco to Cab 2 each time I switch on the system.
     
    Compared to UK locomotives, the GS4 has four lights - Front/Rear directionally controlled head/tender lights, cab light (set to come on when the loco is stationary) and the Mars light, a simulated high powered headlamp that rotates in a figure 8 on the real thing. My UK locos have no lights which is one reason for me using the GS4 as the test bed.
     
    So, a good purchase, though I do have a few reservations which may be expelled after having a chat with the experts.
  6. Focalplane
    I do find some things more difficult than others and my patience can run thin at such times. I had been convinced that Slater's plunger pickups are the "way to go" with 0 gauge kits and the logic is certainly compelling. Jim McGeown has his own comments and guidance on the subject which I have followed to a T.
     
    But what I found difficult is adding the wiring to the pickups. I pre-soldered the wires to the tag, no problem, then placed the tag on the screw thread, again not too difficult. But getting the second lock nut on in a confined space took much time, concentration and the occasional blue language! But all six did eventually get placed on and tightened (though I think I should add some CA adhesive as a final warranty of success).
     
    So here are three photos:
     
    The first is the standard view:
     

     
    The next, a view from below:
     

     
    And another view from above:
     

     
    I have colour coded the left and right wires and used shrink wrap to minimize shorting out. The red cabling does not show with the body fitted, which is a relief. The strip of printed circuit board was added so that I can easily wire in the DCC sound chip which has been ordered from Digitrains.
     
    Next I need to fit the coupling rods.
  7. Focalplane

    Shipston Gas Works

    By Focalplane,

    Other than one photo on Warwickshirerailways.com, there is very little evidence that Shipston ever had a gas works. But this short movie has come to light with a very blurred view of the plant:
     
    http://www.macearchive.org/Archive/Title/midlands-news-23121963-closing-of-smallest-gas-works/MediaEntry/6692.html
     
    Note the movie says it was the smallest gas works. Whether this was in all the country or just Central England is not clear.
     

     
    I am not sure how this will be incorporated into the layout. It may have to be as a painted back scene, but I also have the idea of making a small bolt on diorama adjacent to the coal siding.
     
    EDIT: A much better quality movie here:
     
    http://www.macearchive.org/Archive/Title/midland-montage-24101963-shipston-on-stour-gas-works/MediaEntry/47026.html
     
    With the old Ordnance Survey map of the station it may be possible to piece together the various buildings and gasometer.
  8. Focalplane
    Two important elements of the scenery were addressed today, following further track laying on Modules 1 and 2 (photos are forthcoming, I promise!)
     
    The end loading dock was a simple ramp with fencing and a gate:
     
    http://warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrss536.htm
     
    I have started on the platform and ramp, using a timber frame with card and covered by Scalescene's blue brick. The surface of the loading dock appears to have been dirt, so this will be added later. A couple of interim photos:
     

     

     
    The cattle dock siding had a hard standing of ?brick to allow hosing down after loading (or "unloading" as seems more reasonable) cattle. I am not sure of the bricks or setts used, but photos suggest they were larger than standard bricks So I again used Scalescene brick paper but printed the sheet at 200% scale. I then used weathering powders to stain the surface. The prototype is here:
     
    http://warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrss538a.htm
     
    My version is slightly different as I needed to add some sleepers between the two pens to maintain gauge, so there are two paved areas:
     

     

     
    Ballast and dirt will be added around the sleepers and pavers. I will also need to add a water pipe stanchion and hosepipe. The water was supplied by the well sunk adjacent to the engine shed which fed the water storage tank. This infrastructure was removed by the GWR after WWI, but my "would be's and could be's" concept allows them to be maintained and used through the 1930s.
  9. Focalplane
    Stratford has wisely invested its tourist wealth to include many facilities that benefit locals as well as tourists, and at this time of year, on a gloomy Sunday morning, a surprising number of people were out and about along the river side, walking or cycling the Greenway, even kayaking over the weir by Holy Trinity Church. We had chosen a three mile walk from the Greenway carpark to the town, visiting the Tramway Bridge, then taking the Tramway Walk south, then back to the starting point for hot chocolates in a BR Mark I coach converted into a café.
     
    The route takes in bits of both the Stratford and Midland Joint Railway (S&MJR) and the Stratford and Moreton Tramway (S&MT).
     
    The car park at the northern end of the Greenway explains the history of the immediate area, which was the junction and crossing point for the GWR and S&MJR routes. An excellent map is included which over the years has amazing escaped any graffiti!
     

     
    This includes a surprisingly detailed map of the Stratford Old Town station and shed complex, the subject of my previous posting. No need to design the layout from scratch, it is here!
     
    The Greenway follows about 4 miles of the old GWR trackbed from Stratford to Cheltenham, part of which has been preserved at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway. In theory the G&WR could claim back the track from their current target of Broadway all the way to Stratford. All it needs is money and a lot of courage to face off Sustrans who have taken over the Greenway for walkers and cyclists. Instead of following the GWR we headed east on the trackbed of a 1960s connection from the East to the South. This was for a short lived boom in iron ore shipments from Northamptonshire to South Wales and was the last gasp for the S&MJR.
     
    The first evidence of the S&MJR comes as a short piece of track and a buffer stop:
     

     

     
    This is a sort of memorial to the fact that the Stratford Relief Road (it is not exactly a true bypass) uses the old S&MJR land and is roughly located where the engine shed (21D) used to be.
     
    Further evidence of the Stratford Old Town station is visible on the north side of the road where the Up Platform edge remains, almost hidden in the undergrowth. You can see it in the first of the two buffer stop photos.
     
    The path next arrives at the River Avon where the S&MJR railway bridge was re-used as the foundation for the Relief Road:
     

     

     
    The parts retained are clearly visible as the foundations for the newer concrete arches. This is a wonderful example of how even impecunious Victorian railway companies could build structures that have lasted the test of time.
     
    We next joined the many throngs out for a pre-lunch Sunday walk along the riverside park until we reached the Tramway Bridge:
     

     
    This photo was taken from the town side of the river, so the original tramway would have started on the left and then crossed the river, heading for Moreton (and the branch to Shipston).
     
    Nearby there is the preserved wagon and piece of track from the S&MT:
     

     

     

     
    Included is a fine memorial to William James, the entrepreneur who had the vision of building a steam railway from Stratford Canal Wharf to Oxford. This forward thinking man was not able to convince the establishment that his steam railway would be safe, so it ended up being horse drawn and he in debtor's prison.
     
    A cartoon of the Tramway is also at this site:
     

     
    The map shows not only the principal wharfs served (platforms were not called that at the time) but also the part that later became the Moreton to Shipston steam light railway.
     
    We recrossed the Tramway Bridge and walked along the preserved embankment down towards the original crossing of the Tramway over the S&MJR.
     

     
    This location is now a roundabout with very little evidence of the bridges that once existed. And so, back to the Greenway for hot chocolate!
  10. Focalplane
    Using a well known "on line air photo service" I have annotated the remaining vestiges of what made up the gas works and the coal yard:
     

     
    I think it should now be possible to scale off and build the gas works diorama as an add-on. Quite when this will happen is anyone's guess! One possibility, though, would be to "build" it in SketchUp.
  11. Focalplane
    Back to the current kit building project, the GWR 14XX. This is slowly progressing with most of the etched parts assembled on the body but there still remain dozens of brass castings to the added, including the add on auto gear kit from Peter Roles.
     
    The first photo was taken a week ago and hows the beginnings of the body taking shape. The boiler is made of two pieces of thick brass tubing, ready to solder together:
     

     
    The brass requires a lot of heat and I switched to my Weller 40 watt iron for soldering anything related to the boiler. I nearly bought a gas (butane) soldering iron from the local bricolage but they didn't have one in stock, just a demo which didn't look to be complete. The ?copper tip of the Weller iron is a pain to keep clean and won't hold solder like it should. Maybe I should get the butane alternative.
     
    The second photo I took yesterday and this is after soldering a lot of small parts. As noted above, many still remain to be added:
     

     
    A degree of cleaning up has been done but there is more to do before any thought of painting begins. The roof still needs to be added but I am going to add the backhead and controls first. The floor is removable to aid painting after the roof is added. Even so, access is limited.
     
    The instructions have also become a little less clear. As well as a few typos for etched part numbers, it really does need more clarification of what goes where. I found having scale drawings and photos most helpful but it is quite probable that I have made some errors which will be frustrating if and when discovered. It is also critical to mate the etched "skins" to the underlying framework accurately because some slots won't accept their tabs if the two sheets are misaligned. It doesn't take much and the remedy is not easy.
     
    But the overall assessment of this kit remains very favourable. Patience is definitely required and good research into the prototype is essential. One aid I realized, almost too late, was the large colour photo in the lid of the box!
  12. Focalplane
    A good place to stop and report on progress. The Sidelines Kitchen Car has been sitting on one side for too long so this past few days there has been a concerted effort to get it advanced to the current state - fully primed, ready for final painting inside and out, glazing, lining and adding a final few items. This may take a while as I will need to assemble a few necessities and also research the interior design (as far as it goes, the kitchen is glazed with privacy glass).
     
    The build has been strait forward and everything ended up square with no significant problems. The all brass body certainly needs a 40 watt soldering iron but my trusty 25 watt Antex was also useful for the under frame. The roof is fixed with epoxy as it is aluminium and there is some use of CA adhesives associated with the multitude of roof fittings.
     
    The LMS Period III Kitchen Car had a long history, some being temporarily converted for use on the Coronation Scot in 1937, while after Nationalization they came into their own on expresses like the Midlander, working with both ex-LMS coaches and BR Mark 1s. Surprisingly, they were gas powered for both cooking and lighting, the only electrical cables being the pass through ones from adjacent coaches. At 50 feet long they are shorter than other Midlander coaches. Typically they were located in the centre of the train, separating third (later second) from first class coaches. The kitchen area was in the centre with two parlors each side for serving up meals and there was also a staff compartment at one end. This is the only enclosed area with clear glazing ( though the corridor was also clear glazed).
     
    The first photo shows the frame sitting on the two bogies, complete with partitions, the corridor being closer to the camera:
     

     
    Next, the body before being sprayed with Halfords Etch Primer:'
     

     
    And finally, the end of a few days and many hours work, on the turntable:
     

     
    Next, I placed the Kitchen Car between a finished Sidelines Coach (First Open) and The Jubilee:
     

     
    A few comments about the build so far. Malcolm Binns has been selling a wide range of Gauge O LMS coaches (Period I, II and II) as well as older LNWR coaches for quite a while. The kits are competitively priced and come with brass etch, aluminium roof, brass castings and white metal bogie sides. The bogies can be built compensated (I didn't). Couplers are not included (at least if they are I have lost mine and will be using Dapol couplings anyway). And the kit also needs wheels (I use Slaters). Cutting the aluminium roof extrusion was easier than I thought and drilling out the many holes for the brass roof fittings was made easy by mapped details in the instructions.
     
    There is one thing I need to source and that is thin strips to replicate the canvas roof panels. Thirty years ago this would have been easy - drafting supply shops sold reels of tape of various widths. With computer drafting taking over these supplies are hard to find.
     
    So exactly when I finally get to spray the Crimson Lake, Cream, Black and Grey outside, plus the interior trim colours, is anyone's guess. But I am in no hurry now that this stage has been reached.
  13. Focalplane
    The locomotive is starting to look like a Black 5. I have spent some time fettling the white metal firebox and boiler and they have been soldered together, giving the correct look as described in the instructions. Everything seemed to fit nicely until I tried the motor/gearbox.
     
    There are two chassis instructions included in the kit. The one that comes with the kit shows one placement, the one that comes with the frame pack shows an entirely different placement! For anyone reading this and contemplating building a Caprotti 5, make sure you follow the instructions that come with the kit! I imagine the frame pack instructions were written for anyone upgrading a Hornby Black 5.
     
    Well, the recommended placement requires quite a bit of cutting and fettling to get the motor in the vertical position, as shown here:
     

     
    The extended motor shaft had to be cut off (Dremel to the rescue, very carefully), part of the frame had to be cut out, and the rod for the rear brake shoes would no longer fit between the frames. This latter problem should not be a concern as I now plan to install the rear brake shoes after fitting the front two and the brake pull rods. In my experience the brake rods actually give strength to the rather fragile brake shoes. Once everything is soldered, that is.
     
    The white metal firebox and boiler allow just enough space for the motor and a small DCC chip, this after the rear shaft has been removed from the Mashima. A quick placement of the body on the chassis does give the illusion of progress, but there is a lot more to do:
     

     
    The gap between firebox and boiler needs to be filled, as suggested in the instructions.
     
    Since taking the photos I have fettled the connecting rods, so the next job will be to assemble the cylinders and valves. The cab details are also being prepared ready for installation, along with the splashers - unique to the inside drive Caprotti valve gear design.
  14. Focalplane
    A couple of wagons for the future "coal hole".
     

     
    Only light weathering (so far); the coal is real, collected from an abandoned surface working above the town of Graissessac, Languedoc, France. The sieving process is not quite right, the scale "lumps" are possibly too small to be prototypical.
     
    I should add that Graissessac is almost a ghost town since the mines were closed. I understand from friends who live nearby that many of the miners were Polish. One of the ironies of the area is that wind turbines have been erected on one of the old surface workings. The valley would make an interesting French layout with either steam or diesel motive power, depending on the era.
  15. Focalplane
    Shipston and I are about to part company for about three weeks and I have already promised some photos of the progress so far. But first, the report.
     
    The baseboard modules have gone together well and appear to be stable.
     
    Track building is 90% complete and about 70% laid. About 50% of the track is live. No point motors have been installed, however.
     
    Tests of the module connections appear to be good, see the previous post with video. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1581/entry-16037-first-loco-test-with-video/
     
    SteveNCB7754's buildings are looking good, particularly those that have been let in to the surface of the modules. Track has been laid in the goods shed. The station and platform will be needing some attention when I return but all the other buildings are ready to install with lighting, etc.
     
    I have done a small test of the ballast mix to be used.
     
    I have started to construct the end loading dock which will need fencing and a five bar gate.
     
    Comparisons with old photos show that I have captured the general spaciousness of the layout though there has been significant foreshortening. Even so, the run round loop is longer than need be. At 9 feet long and 2 feet wide, the scenic section should not give the impression of being squashed in to a restricted space. This has always been my intent.
     
    The liberty I have taken in expanding Shipston's services in the mid-1930s means that it will no longer be a single locomotive line but will be operated by the GWR with visiting rights afforded to the LMS via a fictitious line to Ettington Station on the S&MJR. The junction to Ettington will be just off scene and will be controlled by the station signal box. Yes, there will be a signal box in place of the two original ground frames. Tokens will be required, one for Moreton-in-Marsh, one for Ettington. And, there will be signals!
     
    Operations should be interesting. With no turning facilities the tender engines (Midland 3F, Earl 4-4-0) will run backwards to Ettington. Freight transfer will be important with no through freights (or passenger services) running direct from Ettington to Moreton and vice versa.
     
    The fiddle yard will have only three sidings, using a Peco 75 three way switch, but will have additional space for rolling stock as it is 40cm wide.
     
    Now for the photos:
     
    The first two are street level shots from the SW corner of the yard with the coal siding to the left and the station platform on the right. The test of the ballast mix is at the end of the coal siding:
     

     

     
    The third photo is a general aerial view of the station from the north. As always, the black painted corrugated goods shed dominates the scene. This is a magnificent structure by SteveNCB7754 and has a lot of interior detail including a crane.
     

     
    Another view from the same position but showing the cattle pens.
     

     
    And finally, the third module with incomplete track and the engine shed placed on top of the module.
     

  16. Focalplane
    Yesterday I received the 14XX chassis kit from Comet. So now I have two Airfix 14XX locos and one chassis. The scope of the project is to make one locomotive bearing a pre-1946 GWR number in the 48XX series.Here are the two locos and the Comet kit:
     

     
    The recently purchased GWR 14XX is in reasonable condition but not complete:
     

     
    The original BR 14XX I purchased new many years ago with front buffer beam damage and many bits missing:
     

     
    The Comet kit includes motor, gearbox, wheels, crankpins as well as the etched fret:
     

     
    The rest of the photos shows a series of putting together the basic frame, using Comet's invaluable frame assembly jig. I usually spring my hornblocks but in this case I have decided not to.
     
    The first shows drilling out the brake hanger holes to 0.75mm:
     

     
    Next, the frames are in the jig and the spacers are being prepared:
     

     

     
    The last five show stages of soldering the frame spacers:
     

     

     

     

     

     
    As a test, the frames sit square on our glass dining table surface, so on to the next stage. . . .
  17. Focalplane
    The lost wax brass castings on my work bench are slowly disappearing. Yesterday I built up the backhead, ready to insert into the cab interior which was also masked off and painted.
     

     
    Later in the day I painted it, scratched off some of the paint to reveal copper pipes and dirty brass gauge frames, and added some prints of gauge faces.
     

     
    A pleasing day on the work bench, aided by lovely weather that allowed the spray booth to be set up on the loggia. The photos also appear on Tony Wright's discussion in support of his contention that soldering is the best form of kit assembly, assuming the kit is made of brass and nickel silver. A number of very kind "likes" have been received for which I am thankful. RMWeb does allow one to test the water with one's skills (or lack of them at times!) and I find the support from like minded people to spur me on to greater things.
  18. Focalplane
    The engine shed has been my main project for a couple of weeks while I am away from the LMR project and is one of the reasons behind this new project, based in England. The other is the Airfix 14XX restoration.
     
    The shed is a standard build of Scalescene's small engine shed with water tank over the front doors. I have done no weathering to it as yet:
     

     
    The interior is up to the usual scalescene's standard and again, no weathering has been applied:
     

     
    The next card project will be the small station building and shelter; meantime it's full steam ahead on the 14XX project, with an order placed for the Comet chassis, wheels, motor and gearbox.
  19. Focalplane
    A belated Christmas present to myself arrived today - Arthur Jordan's classic "The Shakespeare Route" book on the Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway. This has additional photos not published elsewhere with particular emphasis on the Stratford end of the line (unlike the Towcester book!). But still no definitive Midland 3F sightings in the mid-1930s.
     
    The plan of the station building at Stratford Old Town prompted me to use it as a "go by" for SketchUIp practice. But as is often the case, once you get into the details the errors start to appear in the published data. The various photos on warwickshirerailways.com will help to sort out what is right and what is wrong, but even so, the many photos were taken at different times during different eras (pre-Grouping, Grouping and BR days).
     
    So, here is the progress on the virtual 3D model:
     

     
    The oversize canopy appears to be too long by comparison with photos. Some additional research should solve this one.
     
    While examining the book I discovered a loose piece of paper in the back which turns out to be an original East and West Junction Railway memorandum dated 3 January 1883.
  20. Focalplane
    Back on track with the Caprotti after a quiet Christmas with family. With the frame and running plate fettled into position I was able to solder the cylinder plate into its correct 2º sloping position. With the frame half built I decided to continue with that element of the kit and assembled the gearbox and motor:
     

     

     

     

     

     
    The five sequences show how the simple fold up and solder etch houses the gears. The holes for attaching the Mashina motor need enlarging and quite a lot of filing is needed to fit the bushes between the frames. The motor sits on top of the frames and can be fixed into place with some double sided tape if desired. The gearbox has yet to be tested but will turn easily by hand on the spindle so I expect it to be OK.
     
    Next I assembled the Romford wheels and began to prepare the simple motion before tackling the front bogie assembly:
     

  21. Focalplane
    Well, this is not the end, but it is certainly the beginning. Using Templot has been interesting, challenging, rewarding and at times frustrating. The latter is due to my being on the steepest part of the learning curve. I have not given up on the double slip, though the current design is actually more prototypical. The problem is, by sticking to OO-SF criteria, I have had to extend the basic area from 9'x2' to 10'x2' whether I use the double slip or not. This is not a space problem dictated by any particular room dimension, but rather one that defeats my hope to have the scenic layout on three 3'x2' boards. Now one of them will be 4'x2'.
     
    I have taken my Templot output and imported it into Illustrator in order to superimpose a rough outline of the various buildings (the actual models are not with me at the moment, in fact they are in France, which is where the layout will be constructed). Here it is:
     

     
    The curved entry is prototypical but greatly exaggerated. This will allow the "fiddle yard" to be connected after an additional scenic corner piece. This will also accommodate the headshunts on the "main" line and the siding. So the complete layout will be L shaped, probably 12'x6'.
     
    The track will most likely be built using Code 83 FB nickel silver rail soldered to copper-clad sleepers. The rails will come from old Shinohara track I bought in the 1980s. Strictly speaking the rails should be BH but here the question is not one of accuracy but expediency.
     
    The next step for this layout will start when I get back to France. The baseboard frames will be assembled, some Sundeala (or its French equivalent) will be applied and the print out of the track plan will be used to set out the sleepers.
     
    Meantime I might have a little side project - a scale plan of Stratford-on-Avon Old Town on Templot - which would keep me very busy!
     
    Edit: delete second attached file in last paragraph.
  22. Focalplane
    Over a week ago I left France and the 14XX in an almost finished state prior to painting, etc. The remaining parts will be fitted later this year when I return. These include the buffer beam piping, auto train parts and various pipes and conduits. Otherwise, there is not much more to do. I was tempted to try to finish these additions but good sense prevailed. Why rush?
     
    The following black and white images (I think they look better than the coloured versions) give an idea of the current status, but there also remains some cleaning up to do before primer painting.
     
    The classic frontal view:
     

     
    And its opposite:
     

     
    And full frontal, showing the missing buffer beam parts:
     

     
    It will be full steam ahead to complete the model when I return. It will be 1459, an Oswestry loco in the late 1950s, painted plain black with early BR totem. It will need an appropriate pair of (auto) coaches which I still need to research.
     
    Meanwhile I just took delivery of two, yes, two more locomotive kits from David Andrews. A second LMS Compound 4P that will eventually have a fully working inside motion and an original (un-rebuilt just doesn't sound right, does it?) Patriot which will be 45506, a Bristol based loco often seen on the MR side of New Street.
     
    So I now have a lot of kits to build, including the Midlander coaches. And Legge Lane needs its buildings and scenery.
  23. Focalplane
    At the end of the last post there were a couple of small details to be added, then the instructions suggested that I jump ahead and start to build the frame so that the running plate and frame could be tested for fit prior to installing the cylinder support, etc.
     
    I have built several Comet chassis, including the Royal Scot, so this should have been easy. But three constraints made the task longer and just a bit perplexing. But let's follow the progress:
     
    Here is the nickel silver fret and instructions:
     

     
    I have the Comet frame assembly jig and had purchased hornblocks so that the driving wheels could be sprung. But it soon became clear that this frame design precedes the Comet hornblock springing system (the instructions refer to third party options only). So I jettisoned the idea. The hornblocks will be used elsewhere.
     
    The frame assembly jig was attached to the parts after much broaching of the axle holes to fit the brass bushes:
     

     
    The jigged frame was then offered up to the running plate and a significant problem emerged:
     

     
    Part of the frames interfere with the front of the running plate - the offending area is highlighted with the craft knife:
     

     
    The instructions include a sketch which clearly shows this area of the frame sides to be correct, so I decided to carry on and then cut off the offending area later.
     
    I folded up and soldered the stretchers and began to fit them onto one side frame:
     

     
    I then re-attached the jig and completed the stretchers on both side frames. When I had finished and jockeyed some of the stretchers to be square and was satisfied the frame was true, I tried to remove the brass spacers of the assembly jig; one of them would not come out! It was surrounded by soldered stretchers. So I had to undo some of the stretchers and refit them after retrieving the jig.
     
    In all of this I forgot to take photos - no surprise really.
     
    But then the frame was complete (minus brakes, etc. which will be fitted later) and I marked up the front of the frame that had to be removed and cut it off with a razor saw. A good fit was obtained though the front stretcher did have to be moved to give a tight fit behind the buffer beam:
     

     

     
    It looks as though this is it before Christmas, but the model is in good shape for the return after the festivities. And my finger tips need a rest from holding hot brass. Stay tuned!
     
    Seasons Greetings to all!
  24. Focalplane
    As promised some "current status" photos:
     
    First, the chassis. Two views of the nearly completed chassis. The motor and (4) pickup wires need to be soldered to the 8 pin sicket and it needs to be fixed in place roughly where it is. The decoder will be fitted in one of the tanks and plugged in as the body and chassis are mated.
     

     

     
    Now for the body. The cab structure has been fitted to the basic tab-in-slot underframe. Next will be the tank sides and the boiler/smokebox (machined brass tubes)
     

     

     
    The underside of the footplate gives an idea of how many tabs are used to position all the pieces added so far. These have to be filed down after soldering and some final smoothing will be done once the tank sides are installed.
     

     
    The technique I will use for this will be one I learned when making polished surfaces and sections of limestones back at university. The underside of the footplate will be ground down on a sheet of emery paper laid over a sheet of plate glass. For rocks carborundum powder and water slurry is used, starting with coarse and going to very fine grade. This degree of detail will not be necessary for the underside of the footplate but it will insure that the fit of the valances, etc. will be correct.
  25. Focalplane
    Having set the tender aside, and with Bank Holiday rain to prevent any outdoor activity, I started on the loco chassis.
     
    All in all, things have gone well, barring a couple of silly mistakes which were easily rectified. The chassis fits nicely into the Hornby shell with a few minor adjustments with the craft knife. The tiny Mashima motor and gearbox were not too difficult to assemble and the mechanism is ready for testing before being stripped down for painting. The coupling rods and crank pins still need to be fixed, then, when all is ready the brake rods can be fitted. The shoes, by the way, now need some adjusting following the struggle to get the gearbox to fit inside the frame.
     
    Some photos:
     
    Early on, frame soldered up, wheels fitted
     

     
    Current status with motor and gearbox
     

     
    Two side profiles
     

     

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